everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Republican Sponsorship
Education

HB1688

To Amend Various Provisions Of The Arkansas Code Concerning Public School Funding Amounts; And To Declare An Emergency.

Passed

Last Action (April 12, 2023): Notification that HB1688 is now Act 744

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1688 amends various sections of the Arkansas Code related to public school funding. The bill increases the foundation funding amount per student for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years. It also updates funding amounts for specific categories, including alternative learning environments, English-language learners, Enhanced Student Achievement funding, and professional development. Additionally, the legislation modifies provisions concerning teacher salary equalization and clarifies the process for determining health insurance contribution rates for school employees. The bill includes an emergency clause, making it effective immediately upon passage to ensure school districts can plan their budgets for the upcoming school years.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are public school districts across Arkansas, which will receive increased state funding to support their operations and educational programs. Additionally, public school employees stand to benefit from the state's continued commitment to funding health insurance and teacher salaries. Students in specific categories, such as English-language learners and those in alternative learning environments, benefit from the increased per-student categorical funding allocations.

Who Might Suffer?

There are no groups directly or explicitly negatively impacted by the provisions of this bill. However, from a budget perspective, the increased state expenditures represent a larger allocation of public funds, which could necessitate budget adjustments elsewhere in the state's overall fiscal planning or potentially impact other state-funded programs if resources are prioritized toward education.

Vote Records

Third Reading

April 6, 2023
Yea: 33 Nay: 0 NV: 0 Absent: 2 Passed
View individual votes (35)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Jane English Republican Senate Yea
Linda Chesterfield Democrat Senate Yea
Jonathan Dismang Republican Senate Yea
Greg Leding Democrat Senate Yea
Missy Irvin Republican Senate Yea
Bryan King Republican Senate Yea
Kim Hammer Republican Senate Yea
Stephanie Flowers Democrat Senate Absent
Frederick Love Democrat Senate Yea
Terry Rice Republican Senate Yea
Reginald Murdock Democrat Senate Yea
Gary Stubblefield Republican Senate Yea
Jim Dotson Republican Senate Yea
John Payton Republican Senate Yea
Alan Clark Republican Senate Yea
Ronald Caldwell Republican Senate Absent
Bart Hester Republican Senate Yea
Jimmy Hickey Republican Senate Yea
Dan Sullivan Republican Senate Yea
David Wallace Republican Senate Yea
Blake Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Justin Boyd Republican Senate Yea
Clarke Tucker Democrat Senate Yea
Scott Flippo Republican Senate Yea
Clint Penzo Republican Senate Yea
Mark Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Ricky Hill Republican Senate Yea
Breanne Davis Republican Senate Yea
Ben Gilmore Republican Senate Yea
Joshua Bryant Republican Senate Yea
Matt McKee Republican Senate Yea
Jim Petty Republican Senate Yea
Steve Crowell Republican Senate Yea
Tyler Dees Republican Senate Yea
Matt Stone Republican Senate Yea

Third Reading

April 4, 2023
Yea: 77 Nay: 3 NV: 20 Absent: 0 Passed
View individual votes (100)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Fred Allen Democrat House NV
Lane Jean Republican House Yea
Stephen Meeks Republican House Yea
Mark Perry Democrat House Yea
Jon Eubanks Republican House Yea
Matthew Shepherd Republican House Yea
Jeff Wardlaw Republican House Yea
Bruce Cozart Republican House Yea
David Whitaker Democrat House NV
Deborah Ferguson Democrat House NV
Charlene Fite Republican House Yea
Mike Holcomb Republican House Yea
Stephen Magie Democrat House NV
Mark McElroy Republican House Yea
Josh Miller Republican House Yea
Richard Womack Republican House Yea
Jack Ladyman Republican House Yea
Robin Lundstrum Republican House Yea
Dwight Tosh Republican House Yea
Lanny Fite Republican House Yea
Grant Hodges Republican House Yea
Rick Beck Republican House Yea
Mary Bentley Republican House Yea
Les Eaves Republican House Yea
Justin Gonzales Republican House Yea
Julie Mayberry Republican House Nay
Ken Ferguson Democrat House NV
Ron Mcnair Republican House Yea
Milton Nicks Democrat House NV
Marcus Richmond Republican House Yea
Vivian Flowers Democrat House NV
Deann Vaught Republican House Nay
Karilyn Brown Republican House Yea
Sonia Eubanks Barker Republican House Yea
Frances Cavenaugh Republican House Yea
Jack Fortner Republican House Yea
Jimmie Gazaway Republican House Yea
Roger Lynch Republican House NV
John Maddox Republican House Yea
Aaron Pilkington Republican House Yea
Johnny Rye Republican House Yea
Les Warren Republican House Yea
Danny Watson Republican House Yea
Carlton Wing Republican House Yea
Austin Mccollum Republican House NV
Carol Dalby Republican House Yea
Steve Hollowell Republican House Yea
Brian Evans Republican House Yea
Lee Johnson Republican House Yea
Andrew Collins Democrat House NV
Stan Berry Republican House Yea
Harlan Breaux Republican House Yea
Cameron Cooper Republican House Yea
Nicole Clowney Democrat House NV
Cindy Crawford Republican House Yea
Denise Garner Democrat House NV
Tippi McCullough Democrat House NV
Jay Richardson Democrat House NV
Jamie Scott Democrat House NV
Jim Wooten Republican House Yea
Denise Ennett Democrat House NV
Richard McGrew Republican House Yea
Joy Springer Democrat House Nay
Howard Beaty Republican House Yea
Tony Furman Republican House Yea
Kendon Underwood Republican House Yea
David Ray Republican House Yea
Mark Berry Republican House Yea
John Carr Republican House Yea
Rick McClure Republican House Yea
Keith Brooks Republican House Yea
Delia Haak Republican House Yea
Ashley Hudson Democrat House NV
Jon Milligan Republican House Yea
RJ Hawk Republican House Yea
Wade Andrews Republican House Yea
Rebecca Burkes Republican House Yea
DeAnna Hodges Republican House Yea
Hope Duke Republican House Yea
Zack Gramlich Republican House NV
Mindy McAlindon Republican House Yea
Matt Duffield Republican House Yea
Stetson Painter Republican House Yea
Steve Unger Republican House Yea
Wayne Long Republican House Yea
Scott Richardson Republican House Yea
Brandon Achor Republican House Yea
Jeremiah Moore Republican House Yea
Joey Carr Republican House Yea
Matt Brown Republican House Yea
Shad Pearce Republican House Yea
Chad Puryear Republican House NV
Ryan Rose Republican House Yea
Bart Schulz Republican House Yea
Trey Steimel Republican House Yea
Tara Shephard Democrat House NV
Jeremy Wooldridge Republican House Yea
Kendra Moore Republican House Yea
Brit McKenzie Republican House Yea
Steven Walker Republican House Yea
Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us